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News
Cooking With Smoke
What do gas stoves and cigarettes have in common? When burned, they both release many of the same toxic substances detrimental to human health—and both the gas and tobacco industries knew for decades that these products caused serious health problems without disclosing the risks to the public.
Chicago School Board Elections Begin in 2024
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will begin the transition to an elected school board with the General Election on November 5, 2024, when half of the Board members will be elected. Here’s what you need to know.
Make a Change This Earth Day: Use the Plastic Calculator
Did you know that in 2023, the US sold more than 100 billion single-use plastic beverage containers? Or that it takes several times as much water to manufacture a plastic water bottle than fits inside the bottle. Planet vs. Plastics is this year’s Earth Day theme.
Primary Election 2024: Final Results
Thank you to everyone who voted in the March 19 Primary Election! The results have been certified. Check out our analysis.
Show Your Gratitude for Election Workers
Let’s recognize the invaluable contributions of election judges and poll workers across the state. House Resolution 660 would designate the week of August 1 through August 7, 2024, as Illinois Election Judge and Poll Worker Appreciation Week.
Pretrial Fairness Act Implementation in Cook County
As the first state in the country to completely outlaw the use of cash bail, all eyes are on Illinois to see how implementation of the new law is working—check out the report.
League Testifies in Support of CABO
We were at City Hall today to testify in support of the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance! CABO will transition new building construction away from dirty, expensive fossil fuels.
Grandmas for Green Energy
The Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance (CABO) is being heard by the committees on energy and zoning—tomorrow! Now is prime time to contact your alder and voice your support for electrification for future buildings.
Take Action for CO2 Pipeline Safety
CO2 pipelines have been proposed in 23 Illinois counties, and they pose a safety risk to residents. This bill temporarily stops CO2 pipelines and allows Illinois the time it needs to develop regulations that will protect its residents.
Show Up for CABO
Almost 70% of Chicago’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. That’s why it’s so urgent for Chicago to pass the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance (CABO). Join us for a rally ahead of its hearing!
Primary Election 2024: Early Results
Thank you to everyone who voted in the March 19 Primary Election! Here’s a snapshot of the results so far.
Act Now for Voting Rights, Gun Control & More
Witness slips help inform legislators as to where people stand. Submit these witness slips to support legislation addressing voting rights, gun control, climate change education, and civic engagement.
Chicago Composting Win!
Chicago’s Food Scrap Drop-Off Program is already making a difference for our environment. Launched last October, over 67 tons of food scraps have been composted instead of landfilled, equivalent to preventing the emissions from burning 4,928 gallons of gasoline.
Program Planning Update
The 2024 LWVUS Convention is coming up at the end of June, and LWV Chicago members have identified priority topics for further studies and research to recommend for the LWVUS agenda.
Coalition Advocates for Police Transparency
LWV Chicago joined fellow members of the Coalition for Police Accountability and Transparency (CPAT) in sending a letter encouraging the City to pursue litigation over the option of private arbitration in serious police misconduct cases.
Chicago Does Not Recycle Spiders
The city does not offer recycling for the re-homing of those from the arachnid community. But for most anything else a human uses—we’ve got you covered! We’ve got a mega-guide to help you reduce, recycle or reuse in Chicago.
Civic Groups Urge Greater Transparency and Public Access from Chicago City Council
The League, working in coalition with other local civic groups, sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson and City Council members urging that they deliver on their stated commitment to transparency.
Batteries: Life and Death
Did you know February 18 was National Battery Day? We didn't either! As battery usage increases, we should think about their impact on the environment and what we can do to make them more sustainable.